Change in Procedures for In-Person Meeting for Worship

Friends,

The minute below presents a change to the minute approved by the HMM community on July 26^th, 2020.  Because of the rapidly approaching cold weather it is being considered for those in the community who ardently desire to Worship inside the Meetinghouse and who feel safe doing so. The requirement that New Jersey’s infection rate be less than 1.0 is, therefore, not included in the minute presented here.  Please note that there is an addendum below containing requirements not mentioned in the minute.Approved Minute Regarding Inside Worship
Meeting for Worship may be held at 10 AM inside the Meetinghouse starting on Sunday, November 15th, 2020 with the following stipulations:

    The most current occupancy limitations set by the State of NJ for religious activities are observed.  (We are currently bound by the state’s maximum, 150 people.)
     A volunteer is present to open the building and monitor participant behavior;
     Participants enter through the foyer doors but exit through the Friends Ave. door;
     Participants disinfect their hands on entering the foyer (sanitizer is available);
     Participants must wear CDC approved facemasks (see attached guidelines);
     Participants must sit in a socially distanced fashion (benches are marked);
     Until such time as a safe program for child care and FDS is developed, children who accompany their parents will sit with their parents;   
      Bathrooms will be limited to two people at a time. 
      If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (as described by the CDC or the NJ Department of Health), or if you know that you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home and take good care of yourself.
~~~~~~~~Meeting for Worship via ZOOM will continue to be held at 10 AM for the foreseeable future.                                                    Technology permitting, the ZOOM participants and the Meetinghouse participants will be “blended” visually and, hopefully, will capture the feeling of communal worship. 
Addendum to the minute: Are you ready to attend Quaker Meeting in person? Please review the following guidelines before attending. 

 1. Make sure you have no symptoms: fever, chills, new cough, aches, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell. If you have any listed symptoms, stay home and Zoom, or think of us and then return when you are well. 

2. Take your temperature right before leaving: 100.4 or high for you – stay home.

3. Proper mask: gaiters, vents and bandanas are not allowed; masks should be 2-3 layers and securely fit over the mouth and nose.  Please put your mask on before exiting your vehicle. Face shields/eye protection may be worn with a mask, but not as a substitute for a mask. 

4. Once you arrive, enter via the foyer door and use the hand sanitizer located inside before entering the worship space. 

5. Sit at least six feet apart. Immediate family members or individuals who are in a safe pod together may sit together.

6. Inside the meeting space – inside the entire building – remain 6 feet apart at all times.

7. If you feel led to share a message, you may, but please stay in your seat and do not remove your mask for sharing. Folks might not be able to hear you but your intention will be felt. 

8.  Restrooms should be used one person at a time, unless an individual requires assistance; then two individuals may enter at the same time. Please wash hands before leaving the restroom.

9. Once the meeting has ended, please exit via the Friends Avenue door (marked EXIT). Please leave as soon as the meeting has ended to avoid crowding/exposure.  

10. We want you to have a peaceful experience at HMM. If something or someone is making you uncomfortable you may alert the facilitator or simply exit the Meetinghouse and let us know via email once you are back home and safe.